Austin turned toward me and dropped his bag. We were just off to the side of the crowded entrance, far enough from the main flow of people but still in plain view. Fans bustled past, heading for their seats or the concession stand.
“Are you going to be okay? She can be a lot.”
“Evie will be there too.”
Austin shook his head. “This is an eighteen-plus event, so I think she’s probably with a babysitter.”
I shrugged. “I basically spent the entire night with your mother at our fake surprise wedding. I think I’ll be okay.”
My entire existence had been about putting on a mask and playing a role. From family gatherings where I had to feign delight at my mother’s relentless social maneuvering, to pretending I liked the men she threw in my direction, I knew how to endure. This was another performance.
Austin’s gaze lingered on me. “You sure?”
“I’m sure. Go on, they’re waiting for you.” I gestured toward the rink, where cheers and laughter spilled from. “I also cannot wait to see the infamous Austin Hart on the ice.”
He gave me a small smile, one that carried a warmth I was starting to crave more than I wanted to admit. “Alright, but as soon as I’m done, I’ll come find you,” he said, squeezing myhand. “Maybe we can come up with a secret hand signal so if you need me, then I’ll jump off the ice.”
I chuckled. “That’s nice, but really, I’ll be okay. It’s your mom.”
His fingers grazed the side of my cheek, and he turned to look at everyone around us. “Since you’re my wife, I think we should probably make it official in case anyone is watching.”
“Wha-What do you mean?”
“In case anyone is taking a video of us or trying to get a photo, then I think we should give them a show.”
“I-I don’t know, Austin,” I whispered. “We messed up last night, and I don’t want?—”
He slid his fingers to the nape of my neck and turned my head to the side. I caught a group of teenage girls snapping a photo of us.
“See.”
If we did this—if he kissed me in public—then we’d be back to crossing a boundary I wasn’t sure I’d be able to come back from. I made sure to smooth any wrinkles in my shirt because if we were going to be on camera somewhere, I’d need to tell my mom after the game, and I didn’t want her to judge my outfit along with everything else.
“I need it before the big game. I’m nervous.”
I turned and looked toward him.
He furrowed his eyebrows, widened his eyes, and frowned.
“You look like a puppy who got his toy taken away.”
“But a cute puppy?”
I playfully hit his chest. “Shut up and kiss me, Hart.”
“That’s my girl,” he murmured, but I didn’t have a chance to process it because he pulled me close with the hand still at the nape of my neck while snaking the other around my waist.
His mouth met mine, and in an instant, all the warmth I’d been craving flooded through me, settling deep in my chest. Theloneliness, the walls I’d built to keep myself guarded—all of it faded as he held me. Despite the chaos around us, it was just us, and for once, I felt seen and chosen.
He pulled away slowly and pressed a quick kiss to my forehead. “That was exactly what I needed.”
“You’re too much,” I attempted to joke, but my voice came out raspy.
Ugh. I didn’t need to find Austin sexy or attractive.
He turned and walked away, leaving me breathless and wanting more. I shook my head, trying to steady myself, and turned to see the same group of girls, who had been watching us, now giggling and definitely recording the whole scene on their phones.
They were just kids, and I couldn’t blame them for being excited. This would end up on social media, and before long, we’d be the talk of the town.
